Stellar population study in early-type galaxies: an approach from the K band

Mármol-Queraltó, Esther; Cardiel, Nicolás; Sánchez-Blázquez, P.; Trager, S. C.; Peletier, R. F.; Kuntschner, H.; Silva, D. R.; Cenarro, A. J.; Vazdekis, A.; Gorgas, J.
Referencia bibliográfica

Stellar Populations – Planning for the Next Decade, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 262, p. 85-88

Fecha de publicación:
4
2010
Número de autores
10
Número de autores del IAC
3
Número de citas
0
Número de citas referidas
0
Descripción
A full understanding of the physical properties of integrated stellar systems demands a multiwavelength approach since each spectral window shows us the contribution of different types of stars. However, most of the observational effort in stellar population studies has been focused on the optical range. Now, the new generation of instruments allow us to explore the K band, where RGB and AGB stars dominate the light of the integrated spectra. Here we present a K-band spectroscopic analysis of early-type galaxies in different environments. Our sample comprises 12 field early-type galaxies observed with ISAAC at VLT with medium resolution, and they are compared with 11 Fornax cluster galaxies previously reported by Silva et al. (2008). The clear differences found in the infrared DCO and NaI indices between field and Fornax galaxies are discussed, trying to solve the puzzle formed by the near-infrared and optical measurements.